YearToAvoid

2018 Honda Odyssey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2018 Honda Odyssey ranks 3rd worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90, 990 complaints, and 16 recall campaigns. Owners most often report electrical system, engine, and collision avoidance/camera problems, earning it an Avoid verdict.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#3 of 21 Odyssey years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
990
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
16
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
14
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
30
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 28 hwy
Injuries / deaths
30 / 3

Top 2018 Honda Odyssey problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System259 (26%)
  2. Engine245 (25%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras215 (22%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain165 (17%)
  5. Other148 (15%)
  6. Lane Departure138 (14%)
  7. Structure & Body115 (12%)
  8. Fuel System106 (11%)
  9. Brakes47 (5%)
  10. Airbags25 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some drivers report the transmission unexpectedly shifting from drive to park or rolling after being put in park, even with the brake released.
  • Owners describe the 9-speed transmission rattling, hesitating, shuddering, and jerking during normal driving.
  • Several owners report sudden fires starting near the engine bay or underbody, sometimes noticed as smoke after a short drive.
  • Airbags have deployed unexpectedly or failed to deploy in crashes, including cases with no occupant in the affected seat.
  • Owners report the rearview camera losing power or failing to display, leading to backing accidents.
  • Some complaints describe electrical system failures accompanied by burning smells and visible smoke from the vehicle.
2018 Honda Odyssey complaints: complaints filed per quarter652017 Q22018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12022 Q22023 Q32024 Q42026 Q1
990 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q2 (65).

2018 Honda Odyssey recalls

16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V423000Jul 1, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras325,588 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles. Water may enter into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image to fail to display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is HOX. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 20V438. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 9, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 26V332000May 21, 2026Airbags98,892 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

    Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

  3. NHTSA 26V227000Apr 9, 2026Airbags440,830 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles. A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.

    Risk: Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) software or replace the ECU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UNW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026. The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.

See all 16 recalls for the 2018 Honda Odyssey →

2018 Honda Odyssey fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Odyssey years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Good30269622
2017Best039222
2018Avoid909901622
2019Avoid959662022
2020Avoid804701422

All Honda Odyssey years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Honda Odyssey reliable?
Compared with other Odyssey model years, 2018 ranks 3rd worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 90 and 990 NHTSA complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA data shows the top problem areas are the electrical system (26% of complaints), engine (25%), and collision avoidance/camera systems (22%), with a median failure mileage of 23,700 miles overall.
Does the 2018 Honda Odyssey have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2018 Odyssey, covering areas including airbags, the rearview camera, fuel system, engine, and seat belts, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Honda Odyssey should I avoid?
Based on complaint index, 2025, 2019, 2018, 2007, and 2020 rank as Avoid years, while 2015, 2013, 2017, and 2011 rank as Best years among the 21 model years tracked.
How is the 2018 Odyssey's fuel economy?
EPA rates the 2018 Honda Odyssey at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.